Obesity, diabetes and OSAS induce of sleep disorders: Exercise as therapy

Sleep is an integral part of good health. Sleep disorders and variations in sleep habits are associated with a low-grade inflammatory status, which may be either a cause or consequence of other conditions, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several strategies are available to counteract these conditions including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), pharmacological and nutritional interventions, and even surgery. At present, our group is investigating the effect of chronic endurance exercise on sleep alterations

Gender and age differences in polysomnography findings and sleep complaints of patients referred to a sleep laboratory

Our objective was to examine the effet of gender on the sleep pattern of patients referred to a sleep laboratory. The data (questionnaires and polysomnographic recordings) were collected from a total of 2365 patients (1550 men and 815 women). The polysomnography permits an objective assessment of the sleep pattern. We included only polysomnography exams obtained with no more than one recording system in order to permit normalization of the data. Men had a significantly higher body mass index than women (28.5 ± 4.8 vs 27.7 ± 6.35 kg/m²) and had a significantly higher score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (10.8 ± 5.3 vs 9.5 ± 6.0), suggesting daytime sleepiness. Women had a significantly higher sleep latency than men, as well as a higher rapid eye movement (REM) latency. Men spent more time in stages 1 (4.6 ± 4.1 vs 3.9 ± 3.8) and 2 (57.0 ± 10.5 vs 55.2 ± 10.1) of non-REM sleep than women, whereas women spent significantly more time in deep sleep stages (3 and 4) than men (22.6 ± 9.0 vs 19.9 ± 9.0). The apnea/hypopnea and arousal indexes were significantly higher and more frequent in men than in women (31.0 ± 31.5 vs 17.3 ± 19.7). Also, periodic leg movement index did not differ significantly between genders, but rather differed among age groups. We did not find significant differences between genders in the percentage of REM sleep and sleep efficiency. The results of the current study suggest that there are specific gender differences in sleep pattern.1067107

Validation of commonly used reference genes for sleep-related gene expression studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sleep is a restorative process and is essential for maintenance of mental and physical health. In an attempt to understand the complexity of sleep, multidisciplinary strategies, including genetic approaches, have been applied to sleep research. Although quantitative real time PCR has been used in previous sleep-related gene expression studies, proper validation of reference genes is currently lacking. Thus, we examined the effect of total or paradoxical sleep deprivation (TSD or PSD) on the expression stability of the following frequently used reference genes in brain and blood: <it>beta-actin (b-actin), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)</it>, and <it>hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT)</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neither TSD nor PSD affected the expression stability of all tested genes in both tissues indicating that <it>b-actin, B2M, GAPDH </it>and <it>HPRT </it>are appropriate reference genes for the sleep-related gene expression studies. In order to further verify these results, the relative expression of <it>brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) </it>and <it>glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase1 (GPD1) </it>was evaluated in brain and blood, respectively. The normalization with each of four reference genes produced similar pattern of expression in control and sleep deprived rats, but subtle differences in the magnitude of expression fold change were observed which might affect the statistical significance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrated that sleep deprivation does not alter the expression stability of commonly used reference genes in brain and blood. Nonetheless, the use of multiple reference genes in quantitative RT-PCR is required for the accurate results.</p

Associations between sleep conditions and body composition states: results of the EPISONO study.

Evidence suggests anthropometric indicators of obesity are associated with changes in sleep quality and quantity, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Investigations including diverse and objective evaluations of sleep and body composition are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the associations between indicators of sleep impairment and body composition states in a sample from a population-based study. Participants of the first follow-up of the EPISONO (São Paulo, Brazil) &gt;50 years were cross-sectionally evaluated. Sleep was assessed through questionnaires, actigraphy, and polysomnography. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body mass index defined sarcopenia (men &lt;0.789 and women &lt;0.512). Total body fat defined obesity (men &gt;30% and women &gt;40%). The overlap between both conditions defined sarcopenic obesity (SO). Final results were obtained by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Three hundred fifty-nine adults [mean (standard deviation) age, 61 (8.8) years; 212 (59.1%) female] were enrolled. Obesity was detected in 22.6% of the sample, sarcopenia in 5.6%, and SO in 16.2%. After controlling for covariates, OSA was associated with SO [odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49-6.61]. Additionally, nocturnal hypoxaemia was associated with both obesity (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.49-4.49) and SO (odds ratio = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.39-6.13). Other indicators of poor sleep/sleep disorders were not associated with body composition states. Sarcopenic obesity but not obesity alone was associated with OSA. Both obesity and SO but not sarcopenia were associated with nocturnal hypoxaemia. The findings suggest a complex pathophysiologic relationship between adverse body composition states and OSA. Upcoming research on risk factors and therapeutic interventions for OSA should target synchronically the lean and adipose body tissues

The sensory pain of Dante's Inferno - Semantics of chronic pain in patients with narcolepsy.

To examine the semantics of chronic pain in narcolepsy and to compare with the poem Inferno, from Dante Alighieri. A cross-sectional study, in which type 1 (n=33) and type 2 (n=33) patients (hypocretin-1 quantification in cerebrospinal fluid), were studied at Departamento de Psicobiologia - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Brazil). We assessed pain descriptors in the Present Rating Index (PRI) from McGill Pain Questionnaire. There was no significant difference in PRI between narcolepsy groups. In both groups, the most frequent words had a sensory dimension: throbbing, jumping, and tugging. Multiple correspondence analysis revealed the predominance of sensory descriptors and the deficiency of affective descriptors in these groups. A study that interpreted the poem Inferno, from Dante Alighieri, as McGill Pain Questionnaires descriptors suggested a contribution of the sensory dimension in pain of possibly narcolepsy patients, similar as in our results

The Effect of Different Photoperiods in Circadian Rhythms of Per3

The aim of this study was to analyse the circadian behavioural responses of mice carrying a functional knockout of the Per3 gene (Per3(-/-)) to different light : dark (L : D) cycles. Male adult wild- type (WT) and Per3(-/-) mice were kept under 12- hour light : 12hour dark conditions (12L : 12D) and then transferred to either a short or long photoperiod and subsequently released into total darkness. All micewere exposed to both conditions, and behavioural activity datawere acquired through runningwheel activity and analysed for circadian characteristics during these conditions. We observed that, during the transition from 12L : 12D to 16L : 8D, Per3(-/-)mice take approximately one additional day to synchronise to the new L : D cycle compared toWT mice. Under these long photoperiod conditions, Per3(-/-) mice were more active in the light phase. Our results suggest that Per3(-/-) mice are less sensitive to light. the data presented here provides further evidence that Per3 is involved in the suppression of behavioural activity in direct response to light.Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Royal Society (Malcolm von Schantz)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Surrey, Fac Hlth & Med Sci, Guildford GU2 5XH, Surrey, EnglandUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Dept Fisiol, BR-59072970 Natal, RN, BrazilInst Fed Sudeste Minas Gerais, Barbacena, MG, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Escola Artes Ciencias & Humanidades, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC): BB/E003672/1FAPESP: 2007/05037-9FAPESP: CEPID 98/14303-3Web of Scienc

Simple Detection of Large InDeLS by DHPLC: The ACE Gene as a Model

Insertion-deletion polymorphism (InDeL) is the second most frequent type of genetic variation in the human genome. For the detection of large InDeLs, researchers usually resort to either PCR gel analysis or RFLP, but these are time consuming and dependent on human interpretation. Therefore, a more efficient method for genotyping this kind of genetic variation is needed. In this report, we describe a method that can detect large InDeLs by DHPLC (denaturating high-performance liquid chromatography) using the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism as a model. The InDeL targeted in this study is characterized by a 288 bp Alu element insertion (I). We used DHPLC at nondenaturating conditions to analyze the PCR product with a flow through the chromatographic column under two different gradients based on the differences between D and I sequences. The analysis described is quick and easy, making this technique a suitable and efficient means for DHPLC users to screen InDeLs in genetic epidemiological studies

Impact of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on left atrial volume and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea assessed by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been reported as a predictor of left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction and left atrium (LA) remodelling. the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of OSA treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP) on the LA volume and function, as well as on the LV diastolic function.Methods: in total, 56 OSA patients were studied. All patients underwent real-time three-dimensional (RT3DE) and two-dimensional echocardiogram with tissue Doppler evaluation in order to estimate LA volumes, function and LV diastolic performance. A total of 30 patients with an apnoea-hypopnoea index greater than 20 were randomly selected to receive sham CPAP (n = 15) or effective CPAP (n = 15) for 24 weeks. They underwent echo examination on three different occasions: at baseline, after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of CPAP or sham CPAP.Results: in the effective CPAP group we observed the following changes from the baseline to the 24-week echo evaluation: (a) a reduction in the E/E' ratio (10.3 (1.9) to 7.9 (1.3), p = 0.03); (b) an increase in the LA passive emptying fraction (28.8% (11.9%) to 46.8% (9.3%), p = 0.01); and (c) a reduction in the LA active emptying fraction (42.7% (11.5%) to 25.7 (15.7), p<0.01). in the sham group, there were no changes from the baseline to the 24-week echo. We found a positive correlation between 24 week/baseline LA active emptying volume and 24 week/baseline E/E' ratios (r = 0.40, p<0.05) and a negative correlation between 24 week/baseline LA passive emptying volume and 24 week/baseline E/E' ratios (r = 20.53, p<0.05). No significant changes were found on LA total emptying fraction.Conclusion: CPAP improved LV diastolic function and LA passive emptying, but not LA structural variables in OSA patients.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)CEPIDAFIPUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, Discipline Sleep Biol & Med, BR-05021010 São Paulo, BrazilAlbert Einstein Hosp, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Discipline Cardiol, BR-05021010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, Discipline Sleep Biol & Med, BR-05021010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Discipline Cardiol, BR-05021010 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

New risks and challenges within the context of OSCE

A Organização para a Segurança e Cooperação na Europa (OSCE) é um instrumento fundamental para a cooperação na região Euro- -Atlântica no combate às novas ameaças que surgiram com os atentados de 11 de Setembro. Uma das principais tarefas da OSCE é a de funcionar como um instrumento de alerta precoce no caso de novos desafios e ameaças à segurança internacional. A organização pode ser um fórum onde se estabelecem novas normas e princípios de segurança e processos de cooperação entre os Estados. A luta contra o terrorismo tornou-se uma das prioridades da OSCE, e devido à sua experiência nesse domí- nio pode vir a ter um papel preponderante no âmbito das instituições Euro-Atlânticas